Tuckers Crossroads Elementary School celebrated 100 years with a celebration and a slew of festivities at the school Saturday, bringing out current and former students and teachers of all ages.

A full crowd in a sea of green packed into the hallways as the doors opened for the day at 4 p.m. and didn’t let up once until the evening rounded out at 8 p.m.

Attendees were able to tour the school as well as stop by different classrooms set up as “decade rooms,” each honoring a different decade in the school’s history and a unique feature that allowed alumni to reconnect with old classmates.

There were also two different opportunities to take in a short celebration ceremony and music program presented by Tuckers’ 34-year instructor Tony Cook. The music programs featured both current and past students.

Before the music started, however, event co-chairs Beth Petty and Jolie White Britt, with the help of property assessor and former student Jack Pratt, made special recognitions of those in attendance.

The first recognized was Sarah Smith Hughes, 99, the oldest Tuckers alumni. She was presented with a framed picture from Petty, Britt and Pratt, as well as a round of applause from the hundreds packed in the gymnasium.

Additionally, memory books and cookbooks were offered to others recognized, which included the second-eldest alumni, oldest teacher in attendance, person who traveled the farthest, family with the most generations represented and teacher with the most longevity, which went to Cook.

Countless community leaders were also in attendance to help the school celebrate 100 years.

“Tuckers has been a staple of this county for a long time. One hundred years says a lot about this school and a lot about this community,” said board of education member Larry Tomlinson.

Tomlinson and interim Director of Schools Mary Ann Sparks joined in presenting and reading a proclamation to Principal Susie Breedwell and Assistant Principal Lane Hamnett from the Wilson County Board of Education honoring the Tuckers 100-year celebration.

Following the music program that featured singing, dancing and solos from former Tuckers students, more county and state officials, as well as Tuckers alumni lined up to congratulate the school on its milestone.

“We talk a lot about education and making education number one, and what you’ve got here is special,” said Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto. “You can tell by the turnout you got here today, so hold onto it and cherish it.”

State Sen. Mae Beavers was also in attendance and spoke to congratulate the crowd and school on its longevity.

Lebanon High School’s valedictorian Alex Britt, salutatorian Katlin Eakes and Mr. High School and Homecoming King Rob Warren were all recognized as well, all former students and products of Tuckers.

Following the ceremonies, numerous other festivities caught on.

A buy one-get one book fair was offered in the school library throughout the evening, and a spaghetti supper was served as food and fellowship time for dinner. Carnival games were offered in different classrooms, as well as inflatables and a dunking tank outside. And for dessert, a cake walk featuring a live bluegrass band rounded out the evenings events.

The sale of concessions, T-shirts, cookbooks, memory books and proceeds from the spaghetti supper and games all are set to go to the school’s PTO fund.